Contract status: Under contract through the 2013-14 season, with a team option for 2012-13 and a qualifying offer for 2013-14.

Strengths: Griffin’s rookie season surpassed even his biggest fans’ expectations, dominating highlight videos while also scoring and rebounding at a high level. Griffin is one of the league’s most athletic big men, yet he can dribble and pass better than many small forwards. He possesses a polished all-around game – if he continues to improve — that should net several NBA first-team honors and MVP consideration for years.

Weaknesses: Griffin didn’t make a grand impact on the defensive side of the ball. He should take a lesson from Dwight Howard and start improving his ‘D’ if he wants to truly become an all-around player. His jumper will need to improve, and it probably will.

The future: The Clippers hope to build around Griffin, who has potential to be the franchise’s biggest superstar ever.

• Here’s an EJ interview from the Indiana Pro Am league a few days ago: